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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-07-25, Page 44 Times—Advocate Wednesday,July 25, 2007 zkocna =CNA TIMES ADVOCATE Editorial Opinion PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the Financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs. Canada Jim Beckett — Publisher Deb Lord — Production Manager Scott Nixon — Editor i }A 2007 BLUE RIBBON Si ft The Times -Advocate is owned by Metroland Media Group Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Media Group Ltd. Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331 Doug Rowe -General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division EDITORIAL Troubling trends There were several news stories last week which should give both politicians at every level of government and rate payers cause for concern. One of the stories was the release of demographic sta- tistics that show Canada's population is aging even faster than expected. The projections show that in about 10 years, Canada may have more people at the age where they can leave the labor force than at the age where they can begin working. This presents considerable chal- lenges for Canadian employers and for society in general according to Statscan. The statistics agency, releasing the results of a 2006 census, said about one in seven Canadians is 65 or older, and the number of people reaching retirement is at a record high. Low fertility rates and increased life expectancy has pushed up the median age to 39.5 years from 37.6 in 2001, when the last census was held. The number of people aged 80 years and over surpassed the one million mark for the first time between 2001 and 2006. Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge said Canada's potential rate of growth will decline as the baby boom generation retires, which means inflationary pressures could be triggered at a lower pace of growth. Other stories which should be noted were about a steam pipe, that was installed in 1924, exploding in New York City and a report in Quebec saying the province should overhaul its bridge inspection service. The reports emphasize the point that much of the infrastruc- ture we depend on often doesn't rate much thought yet much of it was constructed decades ago. Bluewater council heard the same message Monday night from Anthony Pizans, manager of business devel- opment for Infrastructure Ontario. Pizans said much of Ontario's infrastructure is nearing, at or past its life expectancy. Ontario has been doing a better job of inspecting its bridges than Quebec, but Pizans message should remind everyone that infrastructure such as roads and bridges, while rarely vote getters, are essential for economic health. Politicians, especially at the municipal level which has borne the hardest hit of downloading, should be aware that in future years, both Ontario and Canada will face an economic squeeze. At the same time as an aging population requires more care, there will be a smaller labour market to pay for that care and for infrastructure that needs to be replaced. Both politicians and rate payers should note that increasing demand for services and shrinking resources will make it more important, yet harder than ever, to dis- tinguish between what is wanted and what is needed. Things busy in South Huron If word on the street is an accurate barometer of how the community feels, the new seniors' apartment planned for Exeter should have no problem filling up. Since word broke that a three-storey, 49 -unit building for seniors was going to be construct- ed in Exeter beside the fire hall, I've heard numerous comments and questions from peo- ple interested in moving into the new building. And with word that McCann Redi-Mix will be the company constructing and owning the new building, it's nice to see a local company spear- heading the project. Credit also needs to go to the Senior Housing committee for moving so fast on getting a seniors' pro- ject moving. A need for seniors' housing in the community was identified and action was taken to meet that need. The McCann building, though, won't be last seniors' housing project announced for Exeter. If the 49 units go as quickly as some say they will, it won't be long until another project is needed and announced. South Huron is positioning itself to adapt with society and compete with other municipalities to maintain the population and businesses we have and also grow. With a childcare centre built in the last few years, a seniors' housing project upcoming, new sewers in Crediton and Centralia and a new waterline coming from Lake Huron, not to mention major upgrades at South Huron Hospital, no one can say things aren't happening here. • It seems our famous white squirrels might have some competition down in the Forest City. The July 18 edition of "The London Free Press" featured a rare white chipmunk on its front page. Reports say the little rodent has been hanging around north London and munching on spilled bird feed in people's yards. Property owner Ron Dawson has named the white chipmunk WACy (for white albino chip- munk, even though, with black eyes, the chipmunk is not an albino). Will London soon become the white chip- munk capital of the world, a rival to Exeter's claim to being the "home of the white squirrel?" Or is WACy just some rare freak whose kind will never be seen again? Only time will tell, but we need to put London in its place right now before the boring burg to the south gets any ideas about using its white chipmunk for promotion purpos- es. Hey London: stick to your aluminum trees, leave the white rodents to us. In fact, it might not be a bad idea for someone to drive down there, kidnap WACy and bring him to Exeter to hang out with the white squirrels. Just an idea. SCOTT NIXON AND ANOTHER THING About the Times -Advocate Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. 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For example, Jim Beckett's e-mail address is <jbeck- ett@southhuron.com> Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Publisher Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Nina Van Lieshout ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Elaine Chipchase ext. 102 PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext 103/114 Nikki Cyr .ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 MargPertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111